Orthotic for use in footwear

Abstract

An orthotic is disclosed. The orthotic has a convex element that has a periphery. The convex element is positioned in a plane. The periphery is structured and arranged to deform into a gap in at least of a horizontal, a vertical, or a lateral direction relative to the plane. The convex element is structured and arranged for placement between a plantar surface of a foot and a second surface. The gap is defined by a top surface of the convex element and a bottom surface of the foot or a bottom surface of a body of an insert. The periphery of the convex element is structured and arranged to deform into the gap as a force is applied to the body and to rebound as the force dissipates.

I claim: 
     
       1. A footwear ( 500 ) used in combination with an orthotic device ( 100 ), the footwear comprising:
 an outsole ( 550 ) having an outer surface ( 510 ) for engaging the ground when the footwear is being used and an opposite inner surface ( 520 ), the outer surface ( 510 ) further includes threads ( 511 ) for providing traction; 
 an upper ( 560 ) having an opening ( 570 ), the upper ( 560 ) is attached to the outsole ( 550 ), wherein the upper in combination with the outsole ( 550 ) and the opposite inner surface ( 520 ) form an interior cavity ( 580 ), the opening ( 570 ) extends to the interior cavity ( 580 ) that is configured to receive a foot of a user; 
 a removable insole ( 200 ) inserted and positioned entirely within the interior cavity ( 580 ), the removable insole ( 200 ) has a body ( 220 ), the body ( 220 ) has a proximal end ( 210 A), a distal end ( 210 B), a top surface ( 225 ), a bottom surface ( 222 ), a medial side ( 226 ) and a lateral side ( 228 ), the top surface ( 225 ) is shaped for receiving a plantar surface of the foot and substantially contoured to a shape of the foot, a raised arch ( 230 ) is positioned on the medial side ( 226 ) of the body ( 220 ), the removable insole ( 200 ) further includes a concave heel portion ( 240 ) formed in the top surface ( 225 ) at the proximal end ( 210 A) of the body ( 220 ); 
 the orthotic device ( 100 ) is fastened to the bottom surface ( 222 ) of the body ( 220 ) of the removable insole ( 200 ), using a pair of fasteners ( 120 ), at the proximal end ( 210 A) below the concave heel portion ( 240 ) of the body ( 220 ), the orthotic device ( 100 ) and the removable insole ( 200 ) are inserted and positioned entirely within the interior cavity ( 580 ) such that during use, the orthotic device ( 100 ) comes into direct contact with the opposite inner surface ( 520 ) of the outsole ( 550 ), wherein the orthotic device ( 100 ) provides a graded adaptation to uneven surfaces and a measured management of ground force reaction, 
 the orthotic device ( 100 ) further consisting of: a convex element ( 110 ), a top surface ( 125 ) of the convex element ( 110 ), a periphery ( 105 ) of the convex element ( 110 ) structured and arranged to deform and rebound during use, a parabolic proximal end ( 110 A) with a cut-out ( 110 A′) and a parabolic distal end ( 110 B), the cut-out ( 110 A′) forms a medial member ( 112 ) and a lateral member ( 113 ), wherein each of the medial ( 112 ) and lateral ( 113 ) members structured and arranged to deform and rebound in use, wherein the convex element ( 110 ) functions as a shock absorber and provides medial and lateral motion control, energy return, proprioceptive cuing, and dynamic resupination of the foot in use; and 
 a gap ( 300 ) is defined by the bottom surface ( 222 ) of the body ( 220 ) of the removable insole ( 200 ) and the top surface ( 125 ) of the convex element ( 110 ) such that during use, the periphery ( 105 ) of the convex element ( 110 ) is deformed into the gap ( 300 ) as a force is applied to the body ( 220 ) of the removable insole ( 200 ) and to rebound as the force dissipates.